Meet Special Guest Designer: Selam Tekie of Habesha's by Selam

Over the last couple of years we have enjoyed watching this incredible designer grow as she continues to accomplish great levels of success. With each new collection that she produces, we are left in great astonishment of her stunning designs and consistency of breaking her own records each time! 

We are beyond excited that she will be showcasing her latest collection on our runway at the Her Big Day Cultural Wedding Show! Here's a fun interview with the designer where she shares her love for design and how she got started!

Her Big Day: Where are you from and where is your business located?

Selam Tekie: I am from Eritrea, born and raised in Eritrea, currently living in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. That is where my fashion business is located.

HBD: When did you realize you had an interest for fashion design and how did you get started?

ST: Although I started to pursue it later in life, as I was engaged in a different profession, I’ve always had an interest from a young age. When I moved to Addis Abeba from, Abu Dhabi, UAE to start a new life, I got the chance to start my own business and decided to do fashion. And it has been going well so far.

HBD: Your entire collection has such an elegant presence and look! Where do you get your design inspiration from?

ST: Actually, when I moved to Abu Dhabi from Eritrea, the very first job I had was as a sales woman in a fashion store known as Berishka. I used to love all the collections and designs in that store, and they have inspired me to try it in my fashion business.

HBD: Do you have any role models in the fashion industry? Who are they and why?

ST: Ethiopian designer Amsale, because she is one of the top, celebrity wedding gown designers.

HBD: You also have a boutique in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Do you carry only traditional Habesha dresses or are you including the western white wedding gown as well? Will your customers find ready to wear dresses in your store or is everything you provide custom made for each client?

ST: I have two stores- one for traditional Habesha dresses, and one for western white wedding gowns. So my clients have options in selecting different styles of dresses from these two stores. I usually prefer to make custom dresses to fit, but at the same time I usually keep some ready-made dresses in stock for clients who have immediate needs.

HBD: What do you love most about creating the traditional Habesha dress?

ST: I love everything, and it’s a beautiful culture! The most important and main thing to love about the dresses is that it’s something you wear occasionally, like during holidays, weddings or some cultural events. So, because of that, the person wearing it is always perceived as celebrating a special event. They are all in smiles and in their finest touches of beauty, with the likes of traditional hair braids, jewelry, etc.

HBD: What is your most cherished dress from your collections and why?

ST: I love all of my designs and don't have a particular favorite. All of my designs are special to me.

HBD: You will be featuring your newest collection on the runway of our 2017 Wedding Show in Seattle, Washington. What new trends or styles can we expect to see from this collection?

ST: This is a golden opportunity, a dream come true, to present myself with my collections, and I am ready to hit the runway with new styles that the attendees can easily fall in love with. I am confident in showcasing my finest works and collection.

HBD: For future brides who will be at our wedding show and ready to meet you, what advice would you give them in working with you? In other words, what is the best way to put in an order for a custom dress or pre-existing design during our wedding show?

ST: I always prefer to take orders ahead of time so it gives us plenty of time; I don’t like creating a special dress in a rush. During the show, future brides, as well as others, can put in orders on the spot! For those who are looking to order a dress during a different time, I am always available to guide them in selecting their dresses and ordering it online with me.

Also, during the show, I may have a few ready-made dresses for sale for those who are interested in buying them on the spot.

HBD: Where do you see Habesha’s By Selam in the next 5 years?

ST: Well, I believe I have started it with great passion and desire, and I want to continue in that manner- as the sky will be my limit.

Be sure to come and say hello to Selam on January 29, 2017! P.S. You won't want to miss her jaw dropping designs on the runway!

Tickets at: bit.ly/herbigday2017

Exclusive Look at Mana Design from Fashion Week Columbus 2015

We are so excited to share this exclusive look at Nuha Gebremedhin's new collection from her line: Mana Design. She recently showcased her stunning work at Fashion Week Columbus 2015 and it was Fabulous!

Designer Nuha Gebremedhin describes her collection as 'timeless, elegant and ethnically inspired' and we couldn't agree more! We love her ability to create a western style wedding gown using traditional, hand woven fabrics from Ethiopia. These gowns can be worn on the wedding day during the ceremony or reception, and are sure to leave an impression on your guests.

We think this line would be perfect for the modern bride who isn't afraid to step out of the box by blending the western wedding dress with cultural elements. It's perfect for a one day, culturally infused wedding as well!

Enjoy and tell us which dresses speak to you the most!

xx.

Connect with Mana Design here: 

Website

Instagram

Engagement Feature: Luwam + Yonas

Bride-to-be: Luwam George

Groom-to-be: Yonas Fessehaye
Location: Atlanta, GA.

Luwam & Yonas just tied the knot over the Labor day weekend so we thought we'd share their sweet engagement photos and "how we met" story during the same week! There is so much L-O-V-E in each photo, we loved it!

Tell us how you met one another: Yonas and I actually met through mutual friends a few years ago. Everyone always mentioned how we should be more than friends, but it really never crossed our minds until after a few years of friendship. Our friendship eventually blossomed into something more after Yonas made a couple of attempts to have a first date. I would always invite people along not really knowing if it was a date or not lol. The really awkward first date led to me marrying my best friend. J

How did he pop the question: I had my family come in town for my cousin’s wedding, so I was running all over the place preparing for their visit. After grocery shopping, I pulled up ready to park and I noticed that Yonas had stolen my favorite parking spot. So I left my car in the middle of the street (yes, I know, very dangerous) and I stormed into the townhouse ready to give him a piece of my mind. However, I walked into a pathway of rose petals leading to a big heart made out of rose petals with a box in the middle of it. I was in complete shock and totally caught off guard, just the way that he had planned. As soon as I told him yes, I would marry him, I told him that he needed to move his car out of my parking spot. Afterwards, we celebrated with chick-fil-a and wine. J It really meant a lot to my family and I that he proposed right before they came into town so I could tell my parents and brother in person that I was engaged rather than over the phone.

When's the big day: September 5^th, 2015

What are you looking forward to the most about your wedding: We are both looking forward to having family and friends from all over the world come and join us in celebrating our union.

What would you say has been the hardest thing about planning an Eritrean-American wedding: Hmm… the most difficult thing would be the guest list. Throughout the process of wedding planning, we had to keep a large guest list in mind. In some ways, it kind of limited the options available for our wedding.

Any tips or pointers for the couple planning a wedding right now:

The wedding is only one day (well, two in our case)! Do not stress out over it and remember: the most important thing is the days AFTER the wedding- the actual marriage. Also, choose your bridal party carefully- they will make the wedding planning much smoother and more fun!

Engagement photos by: Ayu Hailu (we highly recommend him!)

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Luwam + Yonas! Many blessings to you both in your new union, xx.

A Vintage Affair

Good morning, Bellas!

We are SO excited to share details from Semhar & Mussie's wedding with you today! This Victorian slash Vintage themed wedding was beautiful and beyond detailed in every decor and fashion element!

Everything from their choice of colors -sapphire blue, canary yellow and platinum- to the intimate details in their table decor with blue damask print table linen, a combination of tall and short yellow vases and tall silver candelabras, personalized coasters, personalized flutes and a custom-made, personalized boon set for Melsi (day 2)- was perfectly orchestrated at the Paradise Palace, a stunning, victorian style venue full of hanging chandeliers!

Bypassing the usual 1,000 guest Habesha wedding theme, Semhar & Mussie settled (successfully!) with a guest list of 400 and created an intimate atmosphere for their guests with a cocktail hour (uncommon in Eritrean/Ethiopian weddings) and serenaded their guests with a live pianist as they ate, drank and enjoyed themselves!

Not only does this bride have impeccable taste in decor and design, but she is smart and efficient! She wanted a different look from ceremony to reception and instead of having a complete wardrobe change, she was transformed by changing some small details. Here's how she achieved it:

For the ceremony she wore- ball gown with train and cathedral length veil trimmed with crystals and a crystal headpiece; hair was down.

For the reception she wore- Same ball gown with bustled train, a french birdcage veil and a statement necklace; hair was up in a loose side bun.
Genius! She gracefully went from modest, traditional bride to hot, trendy bride with just a few simple arrangements! Love it!

The boon set- boon is the traditional Eritrean & Ethiopian coffee ceremony that is usually included in the Melsi (day 2). Check out this custom-made, personalized boon set that was displayed at their wedding! It had the bride & groom's pictures on it- SO unique and lovely!

Not only did Semhar successfully plan her wedding with much class and elegance, but she maintained a balance while doing so. She had these words of wisdom to share with our future brides:

"Marriage is much more than a day or weekend of festivities, though the celebration is important. Couples can easily get so caught up in planning an extravagant wedding and neglect preparations to becoming husband and wife; so do have a balance.
 Make the time in advance to be counseled by your priest/pastor, seek marriage counseling, or any other preparations (reading books together) to ensure your marriage will forever be pure and a long-lasting journey."

Read Semhar + Mussie's full wedding story HERE and check out more of their inspirational wedding pics and detail of vendors! 

To inquire about getting your own personalized boon (coffee ceremony) set contact Biniam at: biniamf@yahoo.com

One Day Habesha Weddings - A New Trend?

On July 27th, 2014 Bethlehem & Esrom tied the knot at the beautiful TPC Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club while 200 of their family and friends witnessed a breathtaking ceremony as the couple became a part of the scenic masterpiece that comprised the beautiful Cascade Mountains of the Northwest!

As every wedding is unique and special in its own way, almost all Habesha weddings tend to follow the tradition of having a two day wedding affair; asserting the Eritrean or Ethiopian traditions and culture.

I believe there has been a turning point in how we celebrate Habesha weddings, especially with our generation, and the two day weddings just may be the first to be shelved. With creativity and a vision (and superb planning, of course!), I believe it is very much possible to successfully execute a one day Habesha wedding, incorporating the meaningful details of the culture into the day.

I believe Bethlehem & Esrom's wedding will be the wedding that is talked about for years to come! The simplicity, elegance and charm was just timeless! More importantly, not only did they make a sound financial decision, but they managed to step outside of the traditional norm (and stringent expectations) to appease their desires and thoughts for a dream wedding!

Hear from the bride herself about their decision to have a one day wedding, the difficulties it posed and how they managed to execute. Also, Bethlehem tells us her top Pros & Cons as well as whether or not she would do it all over again.

Find out what she said HERE!

Habesha Weddings | Beautiful & Complicated

Have you ever stopped to think about why there are so many people present at one Habesha (Eritrean & Ethiopian) wedding? Well, usually it's because our parents and families are heavily involved in the planning (it's almost like they were planning their own wedding) and they make a lot of big calls on how the 2-3 days long festivities will be carried out- number of guests being one of them!

The reason why Eritrean & Ethiopian weddings tend to be so large is because, culturally, they are celebrated with not only friends and family, but the entire community. They are tight  knit communities that highly honor and celebrate weddings among one another; usually with guests nearing 1,000 -- it literally feels like a concert (and yes, of course they're a lot of fun!).

This tradition has made its way over to the diaspora where most Habesha weddings continue to include entire communities.

                                                    

Personally, this was the most challenging aspect of my wedding and it's definitely the same case for most Habesha couples planning a wedding in the diaspora. This has been a topic of discussion for quite some time now.

Don't get  me wrong, I absolutely LOVE our beautiful Habesha wedding traditions; but (seriously tho) they can just be too complicated at times!

Recently, my generation has become privy to the western culture of a "guest list," which makes it challenging to negotiate guest size with our families. They want "the community" and we want "175 guests max." A lot of times we end up caving in to our parents' wishes because we love them and want them to be happy...after all it's not just our wedding, it's their wedding as well (or so it seems that way).

I've known brides to dish out some pretty clever negotiations with their families in order to have a more intimate wedding.

Because Habesha weddings are usually celebrated in a sequence of 2 days (Saturday- Western culture & Sunday- Habesha culture) some brides have  split these two days entirely and opted for a destination wedding for day 1 with close family and friends, and 2 weeks later celebrated day 2 with their "community!" Great idea! Wegahta + Reddi took this approach and Wegahta says her family fought the idea of a destination wedding at first but were elated and couldn't be more happier with the outcome! She says it was "the best of both worlds!" 

A split wedding (like the example above) can work really well.

Meet Feven Misgina Mesa- She and her husband planned for a split wedding with a destination wedding in San Juan, Puerto Rico and then back to the states for their cultural wedding day.... but they caved in to their mother's request and ended up with 3 total weddings!! One destination wedding and two weddings back in the states. Wow! Kudos to Feven and her family for pulling off three beautiful weddings!

Check out this sweet video Feven's sister Eden Misgina put together with pictures from their destination wedding in San Juan- it was intimate and beautiful, and looked like everyone had a blast!!

What do you think? Is this tradition here to stay or will we see more and more smaller and more intimate Habesha weddings in the near future?

Do any other African countries celebrate weddings in large numbers the way Eritreans & Ethiopians do? Tell us about it!

Are you a Bride who had a similar story or a ridiculously huge wedding? Share your stories with us, we'd love to hear how you managed! Leave comments below or email us for a possible feature of your wedding story: info@herbigday.info